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Watch this news anchor correct Mustafa Kamal's casual sexism on live TV

Watch this news anchor correct Mustafa Kamal's casual sexism on live TV

We hope Shahzeb Khanzada inspires more men in the public eye to slam sexist comments like this one
Updated 14 Nov, 2017

Last night's regular late-night news programming was interrupted by a welcome spot of gender sensitivity 101.

It went like this:

On the current affairs talk show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath on Geo News yesterday, host Shahzeb Khanzada was talking to the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chairman Mustafa Kamal about his rift with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar.

During their conversation, Kamal described Sattar's recent behaviour as "auraton kee tara rona dhona, chooriyan torna, cheel ki tarah chillana" (i.e. crying like a woman, smashing bangles, shrieking like an eagle).

We've heard worse references to women on national television go by with little consequence, but Khanzada, refreshingly, cut in to correct this instance of casual sexism.

"Apologies for the intervention, but it's not right to refer to women like that," Khanzada said. "Women are a powerful group. It's not right to refer to them like this. That's all, please continue."

Khanzada clearly took Kamal by surprise, as he took a small pause to perhaps, gather his thoughts.

But far from apologising for his mistake, Kamal tried to defend it: "Thank you for correcting me. I agree with you. But with reference to what I was saying, you may know some strong women, I know some weak ones..."

"Men can also be weak," Khanzada replies with a laugh. "Anyway, we can continue our discussion."

Khanzada's 10-second intervention is an example to all men in the public eye: it's not that hard to call out sexist behaviour.

A well-timed comment can make all the difference and make an offender rethink their actions.

Twitter, of course, has erupted in cheers since the news clip of this exchange has gone viral:

Comments

Amjad Nazir Nov 14, 2017 03:35pm
I think the anchor went overboard. What Mustafa Kamal said is an ordinary usage of the language.. .. Nothing derogatory or indecent about it
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waleed fakhar Nov 14, 2017 03:56pm
Mustufa Kamal is the ill mannered person. He was famous and liked 10 years ago because of Altaf Hussain
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Khurram Nov 14, 2017 04:02pm
Although it was good to see Shahzeb Khanzada correcting this but we all know the real reason he cut him and corrected him, basically to give a rejoinder by ridiculing him. Rest assured he would have remain dead silent had this comment passed by any MQM or PML(N) leader.
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